Determining employees that are “essential” to college operations when the operational status is closed or delayed due to inclement weather
Essential employees hold positions that serve critical functions that ensure the health and safety of the campus community and the continuity of college operations, facilities, and services during inclement weather closures and delays. During an official emergency closing, it is anticipated that some employees in Public Safety and Emergency Management, Health Center, Facilities Services, Facilities Grounds and Maintenance, Dining Services, Residential Life, Auxiliary Services, Information Technology, and various academic support personnel responsible for the care and maintenance of laboratory plants, animals, and facilities will be deemed “essential” and therefore, expected to report to campus. Leadership in those departments will establish appropriate procedures for designating employees that are essential and should report to campus during college closings and for communicating with these employees. This information will also be reflected in their job description. No other employees, including temporary and student employees, will be deemed “essential” during an official college closing without consultation with an executive officer and the Office of Human Resources.
In the event of an official college closing, “essential” personnel are expected to report to campus or remain at work on campus for their regularly scheduled hours, and possibly beyond, or until the emergency is over. Employees not deemed as “essential” are not expected to report to campus while the college is in a closed status.
Payments to Essential Employees When the College’s Operational Status is Closed, Delayed or Fully Remote Due to an Emergency/Inclement Weather
When an emergency closing or emergency shift to remote status is in effect, regular non-exempt employees designated as “essential” and who report to campus will be compensated at their regular rate and will receive an additional one and one-half times their regular rate for all hours worked during the first three days the College is officially closed. Temporary employees hired for the purposes of snow removal will be paid at their regular rate.
Payments to Employees Who Are Not Required to Report to Campus or to Remain at Work on Campus When the College’s Operational Status is Closed or Delayed
During an official emergency closing, regular employees not deemed “essential” and who had been scheduled to work will be paid for their normally scheduled work hours, for up to three days while the college is officially closed. Employees who are using sick time or previously scheduled vacation or personal time will not have those hours converted to emergency closing (regular) hours. Non-exempt employees not required to report to campus who can work remotely, may choose to work remotely while the college is closed; however, they must have approval from their supervisor to do so. These employees, including temporary employees and student employees working during an official college closure, will be paid at their regular rate.
If a closing lasts more than three consecutive days, the president, in consultation with the Vice President for Human Resources and Planning, will determine the pay policy for all employees.
Determining employees that are “essential” to college operations when the operational status is fully remote due to inclement weather
There may be times when, due to severe weather conditions, the college determines the need to move to a fully remote status for all or part of the workday. While in a fully remote status, all classes will be held remotely. Essential personnel, as defined above, should report to campus for work at their normal times (or as instructed by their supervisors). Employees who can work remotely should report to work remotely at their normal times. Employees who need to utilize their paid time away due to their inability to report to work on campus or remotely due to severe weather-related conditions, should contact their supervisors.
Payments to essential employees when the college is closed or in a fully remote status due to inclement weather
When an emergency closing or fully remote status due to inclement weather is in effect, regular non-exempt employees designated as “essential” and who report to campus will be compensated at their regular rate and will receive an additional one and one-half times their regular rate for all hours worked during the first three consecutive days the College operational status is fully remote (or longer in extenuating circumstances if approved).
Payments to employees NOT required to report to campus when in a fully remote status due to inclement weather
Employees not deemed “essential” but who continue to work remotely, and student employees who continue to work, will be paid their regular rate for hours worked and should record hours as normal hours worked. Depending upon campus operations and timing of the decision to move to fully remote due to severe weather, there may be employees deemed non-essential and therefore, not required to report to work on campus, and employees deemed non-essential who are unable to perform their work remotely. These employees would continue to be paid while in a fully remote status for up to three consecutive days. If severe weather lasts more than three consecutive days, the president, in consultation with the Vice President for Human Resources and Planning, will determine the pay policy for these employees.
Additional information about this policy can be found here. Please contact your HR Business Partner with any questions.